| Parameters<\/td> | NPS<\/td> | PPF<\/td> | EPF<\/td> | ELSS<\/td><\/tr> |
| Maturity Period<\/td> | After 60 or 70 years of age<\/td> | 15 years, extendable after that for a block of 5 years indefinitely<\/td> | Upon Retirement<\/td> | 3 years<\/td><\/tr> |
| Eligibility<\/td> | For, investing in National Pension Scheme eligibility criteria is – Any Indian Citizen NPS eligibility age is between the age of 18-70 years, including NRIs<\/td> | Investing in PPF eligibility criteria is – All Indian Citizens, except NRIs<\/td> | All Indian employees<\/td> | Any Indian Citizen<\/td><\/tr> |
| Returns<\/td> | Returns depend upon the fund\u2019s performance, as it is a market-linked instrument<\/td> | 7.1% (decided by Govt. every quarter)<\/td> | 8.50%p.a. (Revised by govt. Every year)<\/td> | Returns depend upon the fund\u2019s performance, as it is a market-linked instrument<\/td><\/tr> |
| Tax Benefits<\/td> | Tax-free upto Rs.2 lakhs<\/td> | Tax-free upto Rs.1.5 lakhs<\/td> | The contribution is tax-deductible. Maturity amount is tax-free only on completion of 5 years<\/td> | Tax-free up to Rs.1.5 lakhs<\/td><\/tr> |
| Annual Contribution<\/td> | Minimum Rs.500; no maximum limit<\/td> | Any amount between Rs.500 and Rs.1.5 lakhs<\/td> | 12% of employee\u2019s basic and DA by employee and employer, each<\/td> | Minimum Rs.500; no maximum limit<\/td><\/tr> |
| Pre-withdrawal options<\/td> | Only up to 25% of the total amount before retirement<\/td> | Partial withdrawals under specific conditions after completion of 5 or 7 years<\/td> | Partial withdrawals, under specific conditions before 5 years subject to TDS deduction<\/td> | Cannot withdraw before the lock-in of 3 years<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n |